Host an Oscar party

Who says the stars get to have all the fun on Oscar night? The Oscars are a great opportunity for you to host a black-tie themed party for your friends.

When sending out invitations, you can either make them by hand, or send them via email. If you’re feeling creative try designing movie reel shaped cards or cards in the form of an Oscar. No time to make the invites yourself? Try creating online e-vites. (To learn how, check out evite.com.)

Think of a glamourous, red-carpet themed night. You could even take it so far as to invite people to dress up as their favourite Oscar winner/nominee.

Roll out the red carpet
Upon arrival, welcome your guests with a ‘red carpet’ entrance. This look can be achieved by simply purchasing some red fabric at a local fabric store. Once your guests arrive, the red ‘carpet’ will give them the feeling of arriving at a star-studded event.

To further set the mood, create some CDs with songs from your favourite Oscar soundtracks.

The competition
If you decide on a ‘dress-up’ theme, each guest can cast a vote for best costume, or who looks most like the character they are portraying. For a prize, keep to the theme by giving away movie passes.

Before the show starts, have your guests make predictions — who do they think will take the most statues? Best actor? Actress? Movie of the year? You can also turn this into a game by rewarding the person who guesses the most right with a prize. The Oscar pool is a crowd favourite.

The menu
The best way to cater for an Oscar party is finger foods and appetizers. You can go the route of classic movie theatre by serving popcorn, nachos and yummy treats. But if you’re looking to serve something different, try a few of these easy appetizer recipes.

Blue Cheese Vodka Balls
1/2 cup Blue Cheese
1/2 cup cream cheese
1 tablespoon pepper flavored vodka
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds

1. Cream together the blue cheese, cream cheese, vodka and parsley until smooth.
2. Refrigerate for 35 minutes.
3. Shape into small balls and then roll into the sesame seeds.
4. Refrigerate until needed.

Melon and Prosciutto
16 pieces of melon (honeydew and cantaloupe are the best)
8 slices of prosciutto

1. Arrange a watercress sprig on each mango cube, wrap with a prosciutto slice.
2. Secure gently with a wooden pick. Cover and chill.

Pesto Pinwheels
1 (11 oz) pkg refrigerated breadstick dough
1/4 cup prepared pesto sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

1. Heat Oven to 375 Degrees F. Unroll breadstick dough and separate into strips.
2. Brush each strip pesto sauce and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
3. Roll strips into pinwheels.
4. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with cracked black pepper.
5. Arrange pinwheels on ungreased baking sheet, bake 12 minutes or until golden brown.

For more ideas, go to: www.recipezaar.com/recipes/appetizers,dinner-party

Cocktails
As far as cocktails go, try these Oscar-themed beverages at your party.

The Queen (2006) — ROYAL SMILE
1/2 oz. lemon juice
1 1/2 oz. Applejack
1 tsp. grenadine
1 oz. Plymouth Gin

Mixing instructions: Mix with cracked ice in a shaker or blender and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Pirates of the Caribbean — PIRATE’S PASSION
2 oz. orange juice
2 oz. pineapple juice
1/2 oz. Gin
1 1/4 oz. La Grande Passion
1 oz. dark rum
Dash grenadine

Mixing instructions: Mix all ingredients with cracked ice in a shaker or blender. Pour into a chilled Squall glass or a Poco Grande glass. (From Marriott’s Sam Lord’s Castle, Barbados.)

Casablanca — CASABLANCA
3 oz. lime juice
1/2 oz. triple sec
1 1/2 oz. rum
Dash grenadine

Mixing instructions: Mix all ingredients in a blender with ice and serve in a large cocktail glass. Option: Garnish with a cherry and or an orange slice

Recipes from thatsthespirit.com

Games
Once the show is over, if your guests still feel like “the night is young”, try playing past Oscar trivia games. It’s easy to find questions and answers online. See who really knows their movie trivia.

Enjoy hosting your party — and remember, the show must go on!

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